Gustav reshaping the GOP Party

Minneapolis — The city laid out its finest food, music, and stunning riverfront scenery for thousands of delegates, VIPs and media last night at the opening party of the GOP convention, a bash that rivaled anything that we’ve seen at these conventions.

It’s a jewel of a city, and the convention hoards congregated last night downtown at the historic riverfront to kick it all off, munching on excellent local foods — fresh grilled corn, portobello mushrooms, sliders, wild rice pilaf, etc. — and enjoying city highlights like the Guthrie Museum, the big blue architectural jewel. A five-star party, but the city of Minneapolis was the star, and a memorable one.

Carla Marinucci/The Chronicle

Minneapolis the star at convention open

And now comes the worry: will Hurricane Gustav change or delay the whole GOP Convention, which is set to officially open Monday at the Xcel Energy Center?

Officials we’ve talked to explain that the confab cannot be cancelled; there has to be a GOP gathering to do the legal business of nominating the party’s candidates.

But will it be curtailed, cut (we’re all here anyway, the city tourism dollars won’t suffer) and will the tone can be substantially changed? All possible.

And the the lineup of speakers is also in doubt: President Bush, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindahl, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist are on the growing list of the unlikely. (John McCain won’t exactly be upset about that POTUS pullout.)